An exemplary embodiment of apparatus and method to measure and filter the spectrum of electro-magnetic radiation using multiple dispersive elements, such as diffraction gratings or VIPA etalons, concatenated in a cross-axis orthogonal arrangement can be provided. For example, it is possible to receive at least one first electro-magnetic radiation and generate at least one second electro-magnetic radiation using at least one first spectral separating arrangement. A first spectrum of the second electro-magnetic radiation can be dispersed along at least one first dispersive axis with respect to a propagation direction of the second electro-magnetic radiation. In addition, it is possible to, using at least one second arrangement, receive the second electro-magnetic radiation and produce at least one third electromagnetic radiation having a second spectrum dispersed along at least one second dispersive axis with respect to a propagation direction of the third electromagnetic radiation. The orientations of the respective first and second dispersive axes can be different from one another. The first and/or second dispersive arrangements can be VIPA etalon arrangements.